open bow on a performance boat looks like training wheels on a Harley. I don't like the look at all. I understand it's popular out west, but it seems if your running that in BIG water - what happens if you stuff it???? I guess you keep the bilge pump running all the time. I'll stick with the closed deck and nice lines.
As for gauges up front - what for ?? to scare your non-boating passengers. A new way of "backseat" (front seat) driving??
I could already hear mother-in-laws screaming "too fast, too shallow, are we gonna run out of gas???"
.02 in the coffer for this opinion.
Bouy

Originally posted by mpally The problem I see with them is this, who is going to sit up there on a weekend at LOTO? No way in hell I am going to.

Plus, I don't like the looks of them. I am not a open bow guy. Just my opinion though.

Can't argue about personal taste. I know this isn't a windshield and open bow crowd, but when we go to LOTO my friends fight over who gets to sit in the front - especially on weekends. I guess you need a boat with a great rough water ride, which is what an Envision offers.

I always thought boating was about being with friends having a good time. In our boat I can seat 12 adults comfortably. We don't have to wait till we get where we're going to party, we party on the way

The sunsation version is the exact same performance specs as the closed bow version except it doesn't have a V-berth. Great configuration for lakes, rivrs, etc. but offshore you could find youself with a big bucket of water up front if the waters get snotty. The other thing is the additional vinyl etc. you've got take care of on top of the cockpit. PLus, unless the water is glassy, it's the worst place to ride on a boat...

I'm a closed deck kind of guy too. I just love the lines of a long deck. But, those new open bow rigs are pretty cool. I had a bow rider when I was Hyper's age, had a friggin blast in it. Did almost 60 mph, used to jump out of the front at WOT!! Fun Fun.

I could be tempted into a nice open bow go-faster. Heck, put a couple of cutie-tooty-fruities up there and the view from the helm gets even better.